About: John Ransom

Photography is a passion. Not only is it fun, I really enjoy the looks on my clients face when I deliver their order, knowing that it is immediately going up on the wall!

Recent Posts by John Ransom

We Have Entered the Era of the Photographic Lost Generation

We are taking photos more than ever, but they’re nearly all digital files with very few tangible prints being produced. By now we know that digital never means safe, yet millions of memories are currently being entrusted to servers, clouds and phones. The risk could be felt by our entire generation, as we grow up without a printed, photographic record of our lives. The most photographed generation of all time could wind up being the next Lost Generation.

The Need for a Movement

It’s not just affecting today’s youth. 42% of people between the ages of 30 and 44 will likely look back and wonder where photos of their childhood, holiday get-togethers, relatives and friends have gone decades from now1, and, reportedly, 67% store their photos solely on a computer or phone. Statistics show that a staggering 53% of consumers have not printed a photo in more than 12 months, 70% don’t have photo albums, and 42% no longer print photos at all.

It doesn’t have to be this way. We know that everything from candles, bicycles and vinyl albums have survived the “disruption” caused by technological advancements. We have to remember the value and importance of printed, framed, and mounted photographs in our lives and for the generations after us. Children love to see images of themselves around the house, newlyweds have fond moments when they see their wedding photo on the mantle or walls, and our most beloved pets are sealed in time…all thanks to the power of print.

Print. The Movement

That’s why PPA, along with leading photography industry partners, has created PRINT. The Movement. The movement’s mission is to educate photographers and consumers alike on the value and importance of printed photographs. For consumers, it’s an awareness campaign designed to help consumers see the value in showcasing and preserving their lives or their families’ lives with high-quality prints, albums, and all types of displays from professional photographers and photographic suppliers. For photographers, it’s a chance to show their community and their clients that they know what it takes to create a finished product that speaks much louder than a digital file and that will withstand the test of time.

Be More Proactive

How can you ensure your memories last for generations? Start by finding the right photographer. PPA photographers spend endless amounts of time and effort perfecting their craft and working harmoniously with their clients. When you need a photographer for that special day or special time in your lives, finding the right one can make all the difference. Once you find him or her, then it’s time to find out about their expertise with print art. Here’s a few questions to guide you through:

Does the photographer offer print art?

Does the photographer have examples of their print art you can review?

Does the photographer use quality paper?

Can the photographer offer quality options within your price range?

Can the photographer show you how the art would look in your very own home?

If you do the right research, you’ll be glad you made the effort. The perfect photographer will also be glad that you are interested in quality work and print art. Together, you and your photographer can create beautiful pieces for your home and for your family.

Brooke and Burke were married on July 14th, with a ceremony and reception at the Milestone Barn in Bannister, Michigan.

These two met during ROTC at Central Michigan University and have seen each other through tours with the Army before getting engaged on December 22nd last year. What a great early Christmas present!

Molly and I arrived on a beautiful Michigan day at Milestone Barn a little earlier than we expected, but that ended up being perfect. We were able to walk around the grounds and spot a few places for excellent photography opportunities, and that also meant that we started out with a more relaxed pace—it’s always better to go into a wedding feeling like you’re not rushed.

Brooke and her girlfriends were already deep into makeup and hair prep when we arrived, and Burke was having a good time with his groomsmen. We were able to photograph the details—like Brooke’s necklace, which belonged to Burke’s grandmother—while a few early guests explored the barn ahead of the ceremony.

Once everyone was ready, we staged a first look between Brooke and her father, which was my favorite part of the whole day. The raw emotion in Brooke’s father’s expression when he saw her for the first time in her dress was breathtaking—and it carried through as he walked her down the aisle in the ceremony itself as well.

Burke also had a great moment with his father and grandfather celebrating three generations of Burke Cueny men. It was clear to everyone who saw them that family came first.

The view as the bride and groom said their vows to each other was awesome. Burke’s cousin, Michael, officiated the wedding, giving the whole thing an intimate feeling and a personal flair.

The barbecue reception immediately followed the ceremony, and the DJ had the guests dancing all night. It was exactly what a barn wedding should be—full of life, joy, and celebrations.

Thank you, Brooke & Burke, for asking us to be your wedding photographers. We were truly honored to share in your special day and have the opportunity to capture your wedding memories.

On November 3rd, I arrived at Fenton High School excited for the grudge match of Fenton versus Flushing High School for the divisional playoffs.

Since Flushing High School is my alma mater--I graduated from there in 1984--this was a personal match for me. I have lived in Fenton for 20 years, and both of my children graduated from Fenton.I know kids and parents on both sides of the game, so the emotional stakes were high. Add in the fact that this was the first divisional playoff appearance for Flushing, and you could feel the excitement in the air.

The game kept everyone on their toes. It started off in favor of the Flushing High School Raiders, who went up early, but the Fenton Tigers came back to tie the game in the second half. There were just 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter when Flushing sealed the game, scoring the game-winning touchdown. It was the first time Flushing beat Fenton since 1997, so it was a huge deal for the team.

Here is what the local news had to say about the victory:

In the postseason, the Raiders have grown into giant killers.

Flushing took down its second powerhouse program in two weeks, stunning Fenton 28-21 to capture the Division 2 district championship in what has swiftly become a memorable playoff run.

"This was a total team victory," Flushing coach Robert Oginsky said. "It was hard-fought, all four quarters."

I was able to capture the catch and the moment they reached over the goal line for the win--my two favorite images of the night. This is the reason I love sports photography: a single moment like that makes all the difference, and I’m able to capture that forever on film.

In addition to the game itself, I loved getting to see Fenton’s band at the halftime show. They played a medley of favorite pop songs that the crowd all loved. My son played in the marching band under Andy Perkins, the director, who is also a friend of mine, so it was great to see that the band is still just as amazing.

I also enjoyed getting to see some friends from high school that had come out for the game. A lot of them had kids on the football team. A few of my kids’ friends and other parents I knew from their high school years were there as well, adding a personal element to the photography I thoroughly enjoyed.

I love shooting high school sports. The kids pour their heart and soul into it--from the practices to the game. They play for the love of the game and for their school, and I am always thrilled to be able to capture those moments. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience to follow these kids’ careers through high school and beyond--both athletically and academically. They’ll remember these victories for a lifetime, and I’m so proud to play a small part in that.

I was so excited to meet up with the Perkaj family for a family photography session on October 7th at Independence Oaks Park in Clarkston, Michigan.

This family is particularly special to me because of the personal connection that we share. Megan is the stepdaughter of my wife’s best friend from high school (Diana). She and her husband, Alfred, were high school sweethearts and have been together ever since they were teenagers. Now, they have two kids: Johnny, who is 6 years old, and Frankie, who is 8.

Two years ago, I was able to do family photographs for the four of them, so I was absolutely flattered when they asked me if I would be willing to do it again. It’s always an honor when a family wants to come back, because it speaks to their trust in me as well as their satisfaction with the work I’ve done. I never take that for granted. But with Megan, I was particularly touched, because she told me outright, “You capture my family so well, I wouldn’t use anyone else.”

The day of the session was one of those beautiful autumn days in Michigan. The light was that perfect autumn gold as it filtered through the changing leaves. Lucky for us, an hour later, the skies opened up and it poured. We managed to sneak our session in between the raindrops.

These two boys are little hams in front of the camera, so I had a hard time narrowing down the photos for the ones I wanted to use for this blog. Johnny in particular is like a little GQ model; I don’t think I could take a bad photo of him if I tried.

The whole session was fun, and I always have a blast with this family, but one of my favorite images of the whole day was of Megan and Alfred. Although the kids were the center of the fun, I loved I was able to get time with just the two of them to be relaxed and in love and to show off their genuine connection.

Perkaj family, thank you for asking me to photograph the four of you again. I loved getting to see you all and spend the day with you!